Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: December 3, 2025

Purpose: Under the leadership of the Executive Mayor of Croydon, the Council has continued its progress towards becoming a more financially stable, efficient and resident focused organisation. The Executive Mayor’s emphasis on fairness, accountability and value for money has supported improvements across neighbourhoods, service accessibility and community engagement. This approach has helped maintain a clear focus on equality, inclusion and transparency in decision-making, ensuring the Equality Strategy 2023–2027 remains aligned with the Council’s wider aspiration to rebuild trust, strengthen organisational practice and deliver sustainable services for all. Whilst progress has been made, the Council recognises that achieving full and long term financial sustainability will require continued discipline, careful prioritisation and ongoing transformation.   Residents and businesses across the borough are seeing tangible benefits from this approach. Improved translation and accessibility support, more inclusive service design, stronger partnership working with Voluntary, Community and Faith (VCFS)organisations, and targeted programmes, such as the Work & Health Programme, have helped more residents into employment, widened opportunities for young people and made services easier to navigate. Investment in safer, more connected neighbourhoods and a renewed commitment to listening to lived experience are improving residents’ sense of belonging and civic pride, whilst ensuring local businesses and workers benefit from a fairer, more inclusive local economy.   Internally, Croydon’s workforce is becoming more representative, skilled and engaged. The Council has maintained a 0% gender and disability pay gap, expanded staff networks, improved leadership diversity, and invested in development pathways that reflect the borough’s values of fairness and inclusion. Through strengthened governance, leadership accountability and a culture shift supported by the ‘Future Croydon’ transformation, employees are increasingly empowered to deliver high-quality, resident-focused services. Together, these efforts demonstrate a Council steadily rebuilding confidence, showing the positive impact on the daily lives of Croydon’s residents, workers, busines

Content: For the reasons set out in the report and appendix, the Executive Mayor and Cabinet AGREED to:   Consider and note Appendix 1, (Annual Report 2024-25), which sets out progress in delivering the Equality Strategy 2023-27.   Note the key achievements outlined in section six and endorse the proposed actions for ongoing areas for improvement as set out in section seven.   Agree that the report and update be presented at Council for noting.